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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.
Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.
이 소식지를 다른 언어로 읽으려면, 우리 웹사이트를 방문하시기 바랍니다.
.يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى
Dear Great Falls ES Families,
Thank you to the families that have donated numerous coats and food for our service projects over the last few weeks. Your generosity is contagious! This year, we remain so thankful for the generosity and positivity of our community. We couldn’t provide the wonderful educational opportunities we do without your support.
🐶Exciting News - Heeling House visit!
We are excited to have therapy dogs from the Heeling House visit Great Falls Elementary School this year. The Heeling House mission is to improve the lives of children through the use of Animal Assisted Interactions.
For their first visit on November 27, the therapy dogs will be outside near our bus loop and kiss and ride to greet all students upon arrival after break. As the day progresses, students in Kindergarten will have an opportunity to interact with calm and loving trained therapy dogs. The dogs will be in the hallway and students will have the opportunity to greet and interact with the dogs. Each month, students in other grade levels will have the opportunity to interact with the therapy dogs.
If you do not want your student(s) to participate, fill out the form linked here as soon as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email our ESL teacher, Melissa Grant.
Sincerely,
Sara Harper
Upcoming Dates
November 18 - Girls on the Run 5K at Dulles Town Center
November 21 - Corey The Dribbler visit Great Falls ES
November 22-24 - Thanksgiving Holiday
December 5 - PTA Spirit Day with Chick Fil A
December 15 - Last day to submit full-time AAP Referral
December 18 - Jan 2 - Holiday Break
Click here to view last week’s PTA Updates and learn more about the PTA events listed!
Click here to view the 2023-2024 school year calendar.
Reminder: Window for Full-time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2023
Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time (Level IV) Referral Form to Amy Keefer at amkeefer@fcps.edu no later than December 15, 2023.
The window for families to submit a referral for full-time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually. Forms for full-time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.
Submitting a referral form for full-time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for full-time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Amy Keefer at amkeefer@fcps.edu.
Referrals for subject-specific and part-time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for subject-specific AAP or part-time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for full-time AAP next fall.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.
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Celebrate Great Falls Tree Lighting!
Join us as we celebrate the holiday season on Sunday, December 3rd, at the Great Falls Celebration of Lights located at Village Field (behind the post office) from 3:00-6:00 pm. There will be a petting zoo, pony rides, performances by local schools, the annual tree lighting, live nativity, a visit from Santa, and more! The Great Falls Chorus will perform in front of the Christmas Tree at 4:40 pm. We hope to see you there!
https://www.celebrategreatfalls.org/lights
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STEAM Updates
🧪First of all, thank you all for your donations to the STEAM lab. They have already been put to good use!!! I will try to keep it updated throughout the year with supplies needed for future challenges. Here are our grade level updates:
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Kindergarten learned about bats and experimented with different materials to make a web. In the upcoming weeks, the students will make a cage for a turkey and then create an obstacle course for turkeys.
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First grade has been learning about 3D shapes and creating their own 3D unique 3D pumpkin. Next week, they will begin to make a trap for a turkey.
- The second grade worked together to rescue a “witch” from a cauldron. This week they tried to create animals from leaves. They then picked their favorite design and created a final version of their design. Next, week they will try to camouflage a turkey to save him from the Thanksgiving meal.
- In third grade, we are designing and building a device that can pick up the split candy and place it back into the box. Once we finish, they will then create a “nest” to protect the turkey eggs.
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Fourth grade created a parachute to help a baby spider land safely on the ground. Next week, they will create a 3D paper turkey. They will then begin a building bridge challenge. They will need to build a bridge that can support the required weight but will need to stay within a budget.
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Fifth grade finally finished their personalized name tag that included a switch to turn on a light!!! They have started to design a build two catapults that they will test in distance, accuracy, power, and ability to knock over a tower. b
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Sixth grade finished their zipline challenge. They have now started to design a helmet to protect their brain/egg from a drop. Once we finish this challenge they will use ratios, proportions, and statistics in a fun game of paper football.
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A note from our Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
All are welcome to the hybrid (virtual and in person) community awareness program scheduled for Thursday, November 16 at 7 pm in the Mason District Government Center (6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003).
The purpose of the program is to:
- advocate for and promote youth safety
- articulate community engagement that focuses on youth programs like mental health, addiction prevention, and IT safety practices
- provide Narcan training for in-person attendees only
Presenters:
- Kelly Rankin, Fairfax County Public Schools Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
- Brian Cramer, Special Agent, FBI
- Shane Dana, Special Agent, FBI
- Mark Atwood, Chairman, Chris Atwood Foundation
Here's the zoom link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85695862743?pwd=dUxlcXZYTnNrUXFHalNKNFByaUNUdz09
Langley High School Renaissance Feaste
Tickets sales are live and going fast for the Langley High School annual Renaissance Feaste. Mark your calendars for an evening of music, dinner, and merriment on December 1st and 2nd at 7:00 PM. Dinner seats include a choice of grilled chicken with mashed potatoes and sage-drawn butter, or vegetarian Farfalle pasta with basil tomato sauce. Both entrees include harvest vegetables, salad with a simple lemon dressing, cornbread and pumpkin bunt cakes for $35 per person. Gluten-free selections are also available. New this year - stadium-style student seating (does not include dinner) on the steps of Langley Hall for $10. (More geared towards students who are attending without their parents). Ticket sales are available at https://www.langleychorus.com/renaissance-feaste. Buy now to reserve your seats!
Staying Healthy This Cold/Flu Season
Cases of RSV, the flu, and other viruses often rise this time of year. It is important for students to wash their hands regularly and cover their coughs and sneezes. Please monitor your child’s health daily and keep them at home if they are sick. Visit FCPS' Health and Safety Guidance webpage for more tips.
Special Education Resources for Families
Fairfax County Public Schools has the following resources available to assist families of students with special needs.
- The Office of Special Education Procedural Support helps staff, families, and students with the implementation of and compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended.
- Kathy Murphy, the assistant ombuds for special education, provides information and support to caregivers and students regarding special education and Section 504 services. Contact the Ombuds Office by submitting a question, calling 571-423-4014, or emailing ombuds@fcps.edu.
Additionally, the Virginia Department of Education has updated the Virginia Family's Guide to Special Education. This state guide was developed to help those involved in special education including families, teachers, school administrators, advocates, and students.
📚 Community Review of Elementary English Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources
FCPS will adopt new Elementary School Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources for the 2024-25 school year. Public review of the recommended materials is part of the process for selecting new resources.
You may access the resources in person and online from Wednesday, November 15, until Friday, December 15, at noon. Digital materials for public review and comment will be available on the Elementary Language Arts Basal Resource Review webpage. Those reviewing instructional materials may complete an electronic comment sheet that will be available on the webpage during the review period.
Visit FCPS' website for instructions on how to view hard copies of the instructional materials at Pimmit Hills Center. The Elementary Language Arts team will be there to answer questions Friday, December 1, 4-8 p.m., and Saturday, December 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
All community feedback will be shared with the review committee and School Board.
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